DAVID BRYNING POLICE CHIEF

As the Chief of Police for the City of Eufaula, I could not be more proud of our Officers, as they continue to play an intricate role in safeguarding our community, ensuring justice, and maintaining public safety.

These men and women put their lives on the line each day, demonstrating exceptional courage, resilience, and commitment to upholding the law with the ongoing desire to protect and serve.

The physical and emotional toll of being a police officer is immense. Officers endure long hours, often working nights, weekends, and holidays, leaving little time for personal rest and relaxation.

Our Officers must remain alert and prepared for any situation, all while navigating the emotional weight of the job. Witnessing traumatic events, dealing with victims of violence, and facing potential danger on a daily basis can be mentally and physically exhausting. ln addition to their dedication, police officers must continuously train and adapt to the evolving needs of society. The world is constantly changing, and so are the tools and techniques law enforcement officers use to keep up with emerging threats, technology, and legal standards.

Despite these challenges, they continue to show up with resilience, professionalism and an unwavering desire to keep our community safe.

These three officers exemplify the most outstanding in an outstanding police department for the past year.

OFFICER OF THE YEAR: Officer Jonathan Laughlin

Officer Laughlin is an exemplary individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating skill, dedication, and courage in his service to the community.

This officer consistently exhibits a strong commitment to upholding the law, maintaining peace, and protecting citizens. Officer Laughlin is known for his strong unwavering work ethic and fairness in every situation, earning the trust and respect of his colleagues and the public alike.

Beyond his daily duties, Officer Laughlin also serves the community as the Fire Chief for the Vivian community, which often assists the City of Eufaula.

Officer Laughlin’s commitment set him apart as he continues to serve our community.

MOST IMPROVED OFFICER: Officer Billy Gentry

Officer Billy Gentry came to the Eufaula Police Department in May, 2024. Since then he has made a positive change for the City of Eufaula, demonstrating remarkable growth and dedication to his new community.

Officer Gentry possesses a high level of professional and a strong work ethic, he has consistently improved his local knowledge, education, and direct issues facing the Eufaula community.

His professional approach to the public and residents has shown he truly desires to make the City of Eufaula a unified community, earning him the title of Most lmproved Officer.

OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE: Lieutenant Tyler Lewis Lt. Lewis exemplifies and embodies the highest standards in professionalism and dedication to our department and community. Lt. Lewis goes beyond merely enforcing laws and responding to crimes; he constantly takes proactive measures to ensure safety, fairness, and justice for all citizens with a deep commitment to public safety.

Excellence in law enforcement requires leaders who inspire by example. These leaders mentor, guide, and empower their officers, creating an environment of mutual respect and accountability.

Lt. Lewis continues to lead, inspire and dedicate himself to this Department and community. He plays a crucial role in assisting this administration in training and management and accepts all tasks to better this Department for our community.

2024 DEPARTMENT ACHIEVEMENTS • Fully operational drone system with infrared search and rescue incidents.

• Fully operational rescue boat with fire suppression capabilities.

• Successful K9 team trained for narcotics and detection. K9 Kilo had 84 deployments with positive alerts, which resulted in 82 seizures and arrests of illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

Equipment acquired by grant writing includes all new body cameras, spike strips, portable breath analyzers and a new LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging system).

“Thank you to all the community members for your support as we continue to serve and protect our community and visitors to our wonderful city,” Bryning said.